I get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen a lot of folks try to tackle moss or debris on their own, and honestly, it’s risky if you’re not super comfortable up there. Even with harnesses and non-slip shoes, it only takes one wrong step. Plus, if your roof’s got any storm damage lurking under the moss, a pro will spot it before it turns into a leak. I’d say the peace of mind is worth the extra cost, especially if your roof’s steep or you’ve got a lot of tree cover.
I get what you’re saying about the peace of mind, but is it always that risky? I mean, my uncle’s been clearing moss off his old ranch roof for years with just a broom and some sneakers—though, to be fair, his roof’s barely got any pitch. I guess it depends on how steep or slippery things are. Has anyone actually found hidden damage under moss? I’m curious if that’s common or just worst-case scenario stuff.
- Totally get the ranch roof thing—low pitch makes it a whole different game.
- I’ve actually seen moss hide some nasty stuff, but not every time. Sometimes it’s just damp wood, other times you pull it up and there’s rot or popped nails underneath.
- Depends a lot on the type of shingle and how long the moss has been sitting there.
- Curious—has anyone here noticed if metal roofs have the same moss/damage issue, or is it mostly shingles and wood?
I’ve got a metal roof (installed about 3 years ago), and so far, moss hasn’t been an issue at all. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s damp, but the rain seems to wash most stuff off. I did notice some greenish buildup near the gutters, but nothing like what I saw on my old asphalt shingles. Maybe it’s just less porous? Not sure if it’s the pitch or the material, but I haven’t seen any hidden damage yet.
Metal roofs do seem to handle moss better, but I’m not totally convinced they’re “set it and forget it,” especially around gutters. Just a few things I’ve noticed or wondered about:
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“I did notice some greenish buildup near the gutters, but nothing like what I saw on my old asphalt shingles.”
That’s exactly where I’m seeing stuff start on mine (installed last year). It’s not thick moss, but it’s definitely some kind of algae or lichen. Makes me wonder if that spot is just always going to be a problem because water slows down there?
- My neighbor has a metal roof too—he said the first couple years were clean, but by year four, he had to get up there and scrub. He blames all the fir needles clogging things up.
- I read somewhere that even if the roof itself isn’t porous, debris can sit there and keep dampness against the metal, which might eventually cause issues. Not sure how much of that is just “worst case scenario” talk, though.
- The pitch probably helps a lot. Our roof is pretty steep and most stuff slides off, but the flatter parts over the porch collect gunk fast. I’m always debating if I should just get a pro for those spots—don’t love ladders.
- DIY seems fine for light cleaning, but anything near the edge or up high freaks me out. My cousin slipped on wet metal last fall and ended up in urgent care. Not fun.
- Also curious if anyone’s seen hidden damage under that greenish buildup? Or is it mostly cosmetic unless you ignore it for years?
Guess I’m just saying: even with metal, I’m not sure it’s totally maintenance-free, especially in rainy spots like ours. Maybe less hassle than shingles, but still something to keep an eye on...